National

NATO estimate of Canadian defence spending dips

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 31 Mar, 2022 12:00 PM

OTTAWA - New NATO figures suggest Canada is even farther from meeting the military alliance's spending target than previously believed.

NATO estimated last June that Canada would spend about 1.39 per cent of its national GDP on defence in 2021.

But in a report released today the alliance has lowered that figure, estimating Canada spent only about 1.36 per cent of GDP on its military last year.

While the difference appears miniscule, it nonetheless moves Canada farther from the two per cent spending target that all NATO members agreed to in 2014 and reaffirmed during a special meeting last week.

Defence Minister Anita Anand says this morning that the government has committed to increase defence spending, noting a federal budget will be presented next week.

The Royal Canadian Air Force is currently in action alongside its NATO allies during Ex FRISIAN FLAG 🇳🇱 in the Netherlands where they train together at command, crew, maintainer and support team levels. pic.twitter.com/5KfRNCtmJn
— Royal Canadian Air Force (@RCAF_ARC) March 31, 2022

It also comes as most allies are moving in the other direction, with only four of the 29 other NATO members set to spend less of their GDP on defence than Canada.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Family court mediation expands to Surrey, B.C.

The Early Resolution and Case Management Model, developed by the Ministry of Attorney General and the B.C. provincial court,was launched as a pilot project in Victoria in 2019.

Family court mediation expands to Surrey, B.C.

218 COVID19 cases for Friday

There are 260 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 50 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, two new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,983.

218 COVID19 cases for Friday

Feds' bill could hit digital creators — YouTube

The platform says proposed legislation obliging platforms to promote Canadian content risks downgrading the popularity of that content abroad — and the foreign earnings many Canadian YouTubers rely on.

Feds' bill could hit digital creators — YouTube

Feds give another $2B to address health backlogs

The money, included in the newly tabled Bill C-17, follows a $4-billion top-up to the federal health transfer last summer and is expected to be a one-time payment, distributed equally based on population.

Feds give another $2B to address health backlogs

ICBC relief rebate coming for drivers

Most ICBC customers with a basic auto insurance policy during the month of February will be eligible for the $110 relief rebate. Most commercial customers will receive a rebate of $165 because they generally incur higher expenses.

ICBC relief rebate coming for drivers

Climate protests planned across Canada today

Dozens of other events are planned in cities across Canada, including Quebec City, Calgary and Vancouver. Using the hashtag #Peoplenotprofit, organizers are denouncing the role of colonialism and capitalism in causing climate change and are calling for reparations to be paid to those most impacted.